[FILM] Octopussy (1983)

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

John Glen's second one after FYEO and it's the best looking of the oens he directed. Vibrant and colorfull, partly because of the way its shot by DP Alan Hume, partly because of thew locations, including India and a circus.

Especially the parts in India really stand out. Octopussy is one of several film in the early 80's set in India. Ranging from serious drama (Ghandi) to high adventure (TOD).

As this is a Bond film any subtle description of Indian culture should not be expected. Instead we get fun cliche's dealing with snake charmers, sword swallower s, nail beds and an occasional quip made about curry.

Octopussy is a bit moore cartoonish then the previous one, but still maintains a bit of an edge compared to the really silly ones.

This is the last film where the casting of Moore works for the film rather then against. Looking a bit older then FYEO, but not the aged mummy of AVTAK.

Originally James Brolin was set to take over the role until Moore expressed interest. And since Never Say Never Again was coming out in the same year EON didn't want to risk a new, American Bond so they went with what they knew would work.

The producers did make the smart decision of casting the 2 lead Bond girls slightly older then standard to compensate.

Maud Adams is the only Bond girl to play a title role, and the only actress to play in two films playing 2 separate Bond girls. Still looking great 9 years after Golden Gun. But the role of Octopussy is clumsily written. Introduced as a figure of great power, but we never really see why. Her background is straight from the short story of the same name. But it's drummed up as a fan service and has very little dramatic relevance. Miss Adams also doesnt quite have the talent to compensate. So Octopussy is a disappointing character with little to do in the story.

Bond Girl number two is more interesting. Kristina Weyborn looks stunning and really shines in the early parts of the film. But like the title character rather disappears in the second part. This is partly because the film has quite a few characters.

There are two main villains and 3 henchmen. Lois Jordan plays Kamal Khan with an enormous amount of grace and charm, even beating Roger Moore himself. Steve Berkoff has fun chewing the fat as a deranged Russian General, while maintaining a hint of menace (unlike Joe Don Baker in a similar role 2 films later)

The henchmen consist of an Indian valet who's pretty much an Oddjob clone, and two circus brothers who are quite handy with knife. All all passable, yet not memorable.

The larger then usual amount of characters also hint to one issue this film has. It's too complicated. Starting out as a investigation into smuggling in India, suddenly it turns into a nuclear bomb plot in Germany. It's not really clear what role everyone has in the plot and to what extent they are involved with Khan, Orlov or Octopussy. For instance the 2 Brothers work for the Octopussy circus, but seem to obey Orlov

The action is quite fun. Starting out with an impressive areal stunt in the teaser, a rickshaw chase, and an elephant safari. But the best stunts are kept for last, with a fight on top of an actual moving train (later to be redone for Skyfall) and an impressive scene where Bond hangs on to a plane at high altitude. As customary for the best Bond films these stunts looks amazing!

John Barry returns after Bill Conti did the last one and once again does a fine job. It's quite noticeable if you watch these films in a row that Barry did become a bit bored by the Bond theme. After ditching the jazzy style for MTWGG he never really altered it much. Usually its one big workout per film, usually during a chase scene, and these are all pretty interchangeable till be did The Living Daylights and brought in the drum kit. The exotic flavor is as always very nice though. The song is one of the most obscure Bong songs, mainly because it doesn't use the term Octopussy, but its a good melody.

Overall Octopussy is a solid, if fairly average entry into the series. A bit too long and too complicated for its own good. With occasional bouts of silly humor (that awful Tarzan yell, or Moore telling a tiger to "Siiiitttt"!

But it also has moments that work despite themselves. 007dressed in a clown-suit, complete with white face paint, a wig and big shoes, warning people of the threat of a bomb should not work, but it's surprising effective. Mainly thanks to Roger Moore's ability to maintain a gravely serious composure in the most ridiculous circumstances. He should have retired after this film!

*** out of ****

[publicist 4,643]

This is the one with the camel double take and with the plane-into-hangar prologue, right?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Yep!

[Sir Hilary Bray 235]

First Bond film I ever saw. Moore's second best performance after FYEO personally. It can be a hit and miss movie but overall I like it. Such as Bond's revenge on Grishka:

"That's for 009."

[King Mark 3,631]

I don;t remember too much about this one. I don't remember what the story was about

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Its a very thing and complex plot about a Octopus cult and a circus with a atomic bomb...

[King Mark 3,631]

yeah something like that

[JoeinAR 1,949]

It's Moore's second best performance after the great The Spy Who Loved Me.